John Piper was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1946. His father was an itinerant evangelist in Greenville, South Carolina, where he spent his childhood. During his literary studies at Wheaton College from 1964 to 1968, he wed Nol, his future wife. Following his graduation, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in California to earn a Bachelor of Divinity. It was during this time that he came across the writings of Jonathan Edwards.

In 1974, Piper earned a doctorate from the University of Munich, West Germany, in New Testament Studies. Between 1974 and 1980, he taught biblical studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, following his graduation. John Piper served for nearly thirty-three years as the Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a position he assumed in 1980.

John completed his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College from 1964 to 1968, majoring in literature and minoring in philosophy. His poetic nature was stimulated by Clyde Kilby’s study of Romantic literature; as a result, he writes poems frequently to commemorate momentous family occasions. In his capacity as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, he would annually dedicate the four weeks of Advent to composing story-poems for his congregation, which were inspired by the life of a biblical figure. Additionally, John met Noël Henry at Wheaton, to whom he wed in 1968.

After graduating from college, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1968–1971. John encountered the writings of Jonathan Edwards during his time at Fuller.

From 1971 to 1974, John pursued a doctoral degree in New Testament Studies at the University of Munich, located in Munich, West Germany. His dissertation, Love Your Enemies, was published by Baker Book House and Cambridge University Press. Following the attainment of his doctorate, he occupied a six-year position instructing biblical studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota (1974–80).

John Piper, moved by an irresistible summons from the Lord to preach, assumed the role of senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1980. During his nearly 33 years of service there, Piper continued to minister.

Established in 1994 as an extension of a church recording ministry, Desiring God is currently led by John.

On January 11, 2006, Piper received the devastating diagnosis of prostate cancer. His physicians and he, according to a letter addressed to his church, did not consider the cancer to be a significant issue. Regarding this, Piper stated, “Of course, this news has been beneficial to me. The two most perilous things in the world are the pride of one’s own independence and the vanity of being worldly. Cancer news has a marvelously catapulting influence on both individuals. God be praised for that. “The times spent in Christ’s company recently have been notably delightful.” Date of Piper’s surgery: February 14, 2006.

John Piper is married to Henry Noël, and the couple has fourteen grandchildren in total, including four sons and one daughter.

John, presently the main instructor for Desiring God, an organization that provides free access to over three decades of his sermons and teaching materials, is the author of over fifty books.